Department or School/College

Committee Chair

Commitee Members

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Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Abstract

Blumhardt, Sean, M.A., May 2015, Exercise Science

Coenzyme Q10

Committee Chair: Dr. Steven Gaskill

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a strong antioxidant and a key component of energy production in the electron transport chain. CoQ10 levels decrease with both age and cardiac disease in plasma and myocardium. After plasma CoQ10 concentrations decrease, dietary changes are generally unable to reestablish normal levels. CoQ10 supplementation is an inexpensive and safe therapy is able to reduce or prevent damage to cell membranes and vasculature by buffering reactive oxidative species. CoQ10 supplementation can decrease blood pressure in hypertensive patients as well as increase cardiac function and improve quality of life in cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure patients. Additionally, CoQ10 supplementation is often able to reduce the dosage of expensive pharmaceutical interventions necessary to maintain the desired benefits. CoQ10 supplementation has no negative effects on cardiac medications but should be monitored closely while undergoing treatment with warfarin. Experimental research has shown that CoQ10 supplementation has no effect on warfarin treatment effectiveness but patients should be monitored closely if CoQ10 and warfarin are being taken simultaneously due to the severity of unwanted coagulation. Overall, Coenzyme Q10 is an inexpensive and safe dietary supplement that may be beneficial and cost effective as a cardiovascular therapy for older individuals with cardiac disease. CoQ10 is a strong antioxidant and it may be effective as a primary prevention for arteriosclerosis and heart disease.